October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual campaign to raise awareness about the impact of breast cancer. Black women are twice as likely to be diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer than White women. We are also 30% more likely to die from these tumors because of lower rates of surgery and chemotherapy. Higher incidence of inflammatory breast cancer, an aggressive but uncommon type of breast cancer. (CDC)

Black Women and Breast Cancer: Why Disparities Persist and how to End Them

More progress needs to be made to improve outcomes for Black women with breast cancer. In the United States, breast cancer continues to be the most common cancer after non-melanoma skin cancer, and it is the second leading cause of cancer death. This year, the American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates that more than 287,850 new cases of invasive breast cancer and 51,400 new cases of ductal carcinoma in situ/stage o breast cancer will be diagnosed in women in the United States. The mortality rate among you Black women, who have a higher incidence of aggressive cancers, is double that of young white men. (Brest Cancer Research Foundation)

Tasha Keaton Brown known as tasha_47loveme on Instagram is a Breast Cancer Advocate, stage III breast cancer survivor stage IV MBC Wife Mother Grandmother. Her story is one of inspiration and awareness. I recently listened to one of her messages that touched my soul and spirit, yes, she is a fighter with a deep faith which is rooted in God. Tasha is brining awareness to African American women urging each one of us to have Annual Mammogram’s and to be checked for the gene that causes cancer. She also brings forth awareness regarding the racial and socioeconomic disparities that exists among the African American community when it comes to breast cancer.

I urge each and every one to check out Tasha Keaton Brown on Instagram and FB to hear her story of surviving this chronic disease. She is my inspiration.

Resources

Tasha Keaton Brown

Breast Cancer Research Foundation

CDC